NJNG COMPLETES ALL MAIN ASSESSMENTS; CONTINUES TO REINTRODUCE NATURAL GAS TO LBI

New Jersey Natural Gas today provided the following assessment and restoration updates for the damaged portions of its system:

Monmouth County
We expect to complete our initial service and main assessments in the Bayshore region of the county today.  We are actively restoring natural gas service up to our customers’ meters in Sea Bright.  We are mobilized to replace portions of our pipeline in Manasquan, as soon as debris can be cleared from First Avenue, which the municipality is working to complete as quickly as possible.

Ocean County Mainland
All initial main assessments and 98 percent of initial service assessments have been completed. We have cleared 4,461 anomalies that we identified during these assessments. There are 1,280 customers who have had their service turned back on.

Bay Head to Seaside
We have finalized our plans to sectionalize our system from Bay Head to Seaside.  We have also finalized our re-pressurization plan.  Before we can begin to implement this plan, however, we must complete extensive repairs and replace the damaged portions of our main and services. This work is ongoing.
 
Long Beach Island
Today, we are re-introducing natural gas into the fourth section of our main on Long Beach Island, from East Bergen Avenue to East 86th Street.  We expect to move onto the fifth section tomorrow, from West Seashell Lane to Holly Drive. 
Meters are now being rebuilt in the sections where natural gas has been reintroduced.  Once a meter has been re-established and you see a tag on the customer gas valve just past your meter, your home’s natural gas service may be turned on by your qualified technician-- but only after electricity has been restored, you have safely returned to your home, and your qualified technician has determined that your natural gas equipment is safe to operate.

Scheduling, details and updates on our LBI restoration work are available at www.njng.com/safety/hurricane-sandy-updates/lbi-service-restoration.asp. 

Federal, New Jersey and local safety codes prohibit tampering with natural gas meters and service lines. Even if natural gas service has not yet been restored to your area, this could significantly hamper efforts to restore service.

If you smell an odor of natural gas, leave the building immediately. Do not light matches, touch electrical switches or appliances, or use your telephone. From a safe location, customers should notify us of all gas leaks immediately at 800-GAS-LEAK.

For additional information, visit our Hurricane Sandy Resource Center at www.njng.com.